11.18.2014

IS THE NYPD TRYING TO HARASS RACHEL NOERDLINGER OUT OF HER POSITION AS CHIEF OF STAFF TO CHIRLANE McCRAY?

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

For those of you who thought that New York had somehow changed its stripes and become more open, positive, tolerant and sophisticated, now that Bill deBlasio is Mayor, and the first lady is Black, guess again. It's as much a police state now as it was under Rudy Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg. Case in point is this not so hidden vendetta against my sister/friend and colleague Rachel Noerdlinger. One of the most positive, organized, professional women on the planet - Rachel has proven herself in the field over and over again - however, the NYPD have made her a target of their considerable lopsided vengeance because she has a boyfriend who has a particular gripe against them - one they probably deserve by the way - and have made her the target for removal.They've piled up bogus evidence that is supposed to show that she is not competent - parking tickets, back taxes, etc - what they really show is like many of us, prior to coming into this position, Rachel was "broke." It happens to most Black people in the New York City area who have been routinely underpaid and overcharged for everything. None of that has anything to do with Rachel's professionalism. Nor does any opinion that her boyfriend have. In point of fact, this being a society of free speech, she can hardly be held responsible for his opinions.

The interesting thing is this is a new form of transparency - it's is crystal clear that the NYPD are harassing Rachel. It's also crystal clear that Black women need to be much more vocal and supportive and demonstrative about backing her up. The "minor" infraction of "trespassing" launched against her son Khari, is clearly the NYPD showing her that they can get her or her family and that they are perfectly willing to make her life a living hell. The arresting officer should be penalized for even having brought the young man in, and demoted or desk dutied to show that these kinds of actions will not be tolerated. First lady Chirlane McCray should definitely not allow her to take an unpaid leave of absence, but make sure she has all she needs while she reorders her life; and make sure that she is allowed to return as her chief of staff - after all she's done nothing wrong and has performed admirably in this position. It's up to both the Mayor and First Lady to nip this in the bud and take a stand against the machinations of the NYPD to make NYC a police state. The NYPD is full of officers who have committed egregious acts against humanity who have gotten nothing more than a slap on the wrist, a desk job, and a PAID LEAVE of absence while things are being worked out. Rachel deserves as much consideration, and even more respect. Commissioner Bratton, who said he would be a different kind of commissioner this time around, needs to get his boys in blue in check. Or step down and let someone who is more competent and capable do so. It's unprofessional on the part of New York's Finest to behave as though they were thugs, not put here to "protect and serve." While the National Action Network (NAN) is understandably dealing with other pressing issues, there definitely needs to be some serious attention paid to what is happening to Rachel Noerdlinger, so they can stop any furter incursions to prevent her from doing her job in the fine, professional manner that she's always done. While rallying for the brothers and sisters in Ferguson is of the utmost importance, so is the rally for Rachel Noerdlinger - one who has worked for and among the organization for years. Charity and action begins at home. In the face of outrageous attitudes and behaviors totally unbefitting the cultural capital of the world, New York City needs to get a grip and get it together, and get RACHEL NOERDLINGER BACK ON THE JOB - post haste.

Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson

The article and clips from CBS and other venues are below:

Rachel Noerdlinger Announces Leave Of Absence Following Son’s Arrest

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) –Rachel Noerdlinger, the embattled chief of staff for First Lady Chirlane McCray, announced she is taking an unpaid leave of absence following the recent arrest of her son.
“I have decided to take a leave of absence to spend more time with my son,” Noerdlinger
said in a statement released Monday. “These past two months have been
extremely difficult for both of us, and his arrest on Friday heightens
the need for me to devote my full attention to Khari, my number one
priority.”

Rachel Noerdlinger Decides To Take Leave Of Absence Following Son's Arrest

Khari Noerdlinger, 17, was arrested on a misdemeanor criminal
trespassing charge Friday night, the same day as his mother’s 44th
birthday. According to a criminal complaint, the teen was in an
apartment building Friday and couldn’t tell authorities who he was there
to see. Police said there was a sign that read: “No trespassing, this
is a building for tenants and their guests only.” They said he had no
identification so he was arrested.
The family’s attorney, Jeffrey Lichtman, told 1010 WINS Khari
Noerdlinger was immediately given an adjournment in contemplation of
dismissal.
“In six months the case is dismissed, the arrest is sealed as if it
never even occurred and obviously it’s the best possible outcome to any
criminal charge,” Lichtman said. “He’s not happy with being charged with
something, but certainly is happy with the result. The prosecutor came
to us with the offer, the case is about as minor as it can be and if not
for the fact that his mother is someone in the news this would be a
completely nondescript, unimportant case.”
Word of Noerdlinger’s leave of absence comes after there were calls
for her to step down following the revelation of her relationship with
boyfriend Hassaun McFarlan,
a.k.a Hassaun Ackles, who served time for manslaughter and drugs and
has let his anti-police feelings spill out on his Facebook page.
“I can handle criticism and scrutiny of me, even when it’s
mean-spirited — that comes with the territory when you take on the
status quo,” Noerdlinger said. “But increasingly, my son has been
subjected to attacks that have nothing to do with the public interest,
and everything to do with derailing this administration. I do not want
to be a distraction — the work at hand is far too urgent.”
Noerdlinger said she is thankful to the mayor and his wife for their “unwavering support” over the last few months.

Mayor Responds To Rachel Noerdlinger's Leave Of Absence

At a press conference Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Noerdlinger
was a hardworking public servant, and lamented what he called an
over-focus on the private lives of public officials.
“Character assassination happens every day in public life,” he said.
“What’s sad is when it goes beyond the boundary of public service — We
have to get on with the work and not be putting so much energy into one
person’s personal life.”
As CBS2 Political Reporter Marcia Kramer explained, De Blasio, who
has steadfastly stood by Noerdlinger, also compared what happened to her
to 1950s McCarthyism.
“We saw this in the 1950s, we’ve seen this throughout the history of
this country, if someone wants to smear people and use that for
political purposes there’s a pretty easy playbook for doing it. It’s
repulsive, but it’s become quite common,” de Blasio said. “The public
doesn’t want to talk about these scandals and gossip and everything
else. They want to talk about what will make their lives better and I
for one am not going to be distracted.”

Mayor Responds To Rachel Noerdlinger's Leave Of Absence

The mayor’s office released a statement thanking Noerdlinger for her service.
“She has been a great asset to the administration and the people of
New York City over the past year, and everyone wishes her all the best
during her leave,” Rebecca Katz, special advisor to the mayor, said.
The Rev. Al Sharpton also released a statement supporting his former spokeswoman’s decision to take a leave of absence.
“National Action Network and I fully support Rachel Noerdlinger in
her decision to take a leave of absence at some point from her duties as
Chief of Staff to the First Lady of New York, so she can spend time
with her son,” Sharpton said. “Rachel has been a valuable asset to the
progressive movement, the City of New York, National Action Network and
myself; but she has always made it clear that she is a mother first.”
“I spoke with Mayor de Blasio and assured him that I will continue to
work with him and the administration on the political progressive
agenda we both agree on and will disagree with him when it becomes
necessary,” Sharpton added. “I respect he and the First Lady’s
sensitivity to Rachel’s parental concern. I in no way was part of Rachel
being hired or maintaining her position with the First Lady as some
have reported, but knowing her skills I know the tremendous
contributions her talents give all New Yorkers.”Noerdlinger has come under scrutiny for failing to disclose her relationship with a felon prior to taking her $170,000-a-year-job with McCray. There have also been reports that she failed to pay an E-ZPass bill of more than $7,000 and nine parking tickets totaling nearly $900.
Other missteps include McFarlan calling police officers “pigs” on social media and Noerdlinger not reporting more than $28,000 in unpaid federal taxes, CBS2′s Marcia Kramer has previously reported.Noerdlinger
was also reportedly a passenger when McFarlan drove her Mercedes on the
wrong side of the street in 2011. Sources said cops smelled marijuana
when they stopped the car and that there was an underage minor in the
back seat.
Last month, audio was released from inside a courtroom where Noerdlinger’s boyfriend was contesting a parking ticket issued to Noerdlinger’s white Mercedes-Benz.
McFarlan can be heard on the recording letting the judge know the car belongs to the first lady’s chief of staff.
The judge then says, “I don’t care about that.”
McFarlan is also heard on the recording complaining that the NYPD is targeting him for parking violations because he is black.
The parking judge dismissed McFarlan’s claims of racism on the part
of the parking ticket officers, pointing out that officers do not know
the race or nationality of the owner of a car when giving out tickets.
The tickets were for offenses such as parking near fire hydrants and in a crosswalk, and having an expired meter.
Noerdlinger has been allowed to leave the administration for an unspecified period of time.
“That’s an open-ended dynamic as she works on trying to make sure she can do all she can for her family,” de Blasio said.
Noerdlinger’s position is going to be filled, but the mayor said
she’ll be welcome to come back in another position when she decides the
time is right, CBS2′s Marcia Kramer reported.
Patrick J. Lynch, president of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent
Association, said whoever gets the position should have some
understanding of the important role played by police in keeping the city
safe.
“Should City Hall decide to fill what is a very questionable
position, we hope they can find someone who appreciates the critical
role that police have in making this city a viable place to live and who
will not bring an anti-police bias to the table,” Lynch said in a
statement.